Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Budget presented by finance minister Thomas Isaac on Friday has some good news for students.

The government will rope in the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to launch a satellite built by students. Preparations for the launch will begin this year itself.

The budget has set aside Rs 5 crore to provide an endowment of Rs 10,000 to the student topper in each subject at 61 government colleges, while Rs 2 cr has been allotted to reward students excelling in sports.

An arts and science college will be set up in Kasaragod's Kinalur Karinthalam panchayat and Palakkad's Kunnathur panchayat. Higher studies have been granted Rs 789 crore, while appointments will be made to all posts in universities after a review of all posts.

The Higher Education Council has got Rs 16.50 crore, the Council for Historical Research Rs 10 crore and the additional skill acquisition program Rs 28 crore. Rs 13 crore will be spent to modernize libraries, laboratories and courses.

Rs 18 crore has been set aside for Tele training, Edusat program, supporting talented students, 'Walk With a Scholar' plan, 'Flair' program for teachers, and 'Aspire' plan to inculcate love for research.

While 10 heritage colleges have got Rs 10 crore, Rs 25 crore will be used to revamp libraries, laboratories and play ground in arts and science colleges.

In order to help colleges get the National Assessment and Accreditation Council accreditation and improve education standards, Rs 25 crore has been allocated. Rs 6 crore has been given to launch honors degrees and other innovative courses, while Rs 5 crore will be used for conducting debates and discussions in universities. Festival of Ideas gets Rs 50 lakh.